This event will be hosted by Sweet Grass Pastures in Lucedale, MS. Major topics will include: pastured poultry, eggs, pork, beef, and their pecan orchard. Demonstrations and tours will include their pecan orchard, mobile chicken coop, setting up mobile hog fencing, and much more.

This family owned farm began operations in 2014. The Scott family thinks of themselves as, farmers of the soil. Their goal is to have healthy living breathing soil full of microorganims and worms. These organisms are responsible for keeping healthy nutrients available for the grass and healthy grasses make healthy livestock. They do this by “rotational grazing” or rotating their animals. The movement of the animals mimics mother nature and assures that the nutrients the animals eat from the grasses are spread back onto the pasture in an organized way.

At Sweet Grass Pastures their animals are raised 100% free of GMOs, antibiotics, vaccines, and steroids. They also believe that an animal that lives as mother nature intended will always produce the healthiest best tasting product. That is why all their chickens, hogs, and cows are raised naturally outside without confinement.

A small dream has slowly become a small reality, and with a little hard work and hope the Scott family believes they can truly provide Mississippi with a healthy affordable alternative. Everyone is encouraged to visit their website and Facebook page, join their buying club, and visit the farm.

REGISTRATION:10:00AM. PROGRAM:10:30AM TO 2:30PM.

There is NO COST to attend this event, but PRE-REGISTRATION is required!

Sweet Grass Pastures is located at 1128 Wayne Lee Road, Lucedale, MS 39452. FROM NORTH: Take Highway 49S from Jackson MS all the way down to Hattiesburg, MS. From Hattiesburg take Highway 98E Towards Mobile/Lucedale for about an hour. After that you will take the Highway 63S Exit. Wayne Lee Rd will be on the left after about 7 miles down Highway 63. Once on Wayne Lee Rd you will follow it down to the very end until it turns into a dirt road. This will be the farm. You will pass a house on the left and a house the right, and the farm tour will be past this house through the double gates (not into the pecan orchard but out onto the pasture). FROM NORTH: You can also take Hwy 45S all the way down to Hwy 57S which will turn into Hwy 63. FROM SOUTH: You can come up from I10 down along the coast. Take the 69 Exit onto Hwy 63N and drive north for about 30 minutes. You will be about 5 minutes from Wayne Lee Road once you pass into George County. Contact: Nathan Scott/Owner at #601-508-9986, for help with directions. TO REGISTER EMAIL: keithmdp@yahoo.com. (Pre-registration is required)

“The Mississippi Health and Hunger Atlas is an outcome of a cooperative endeavor of faculty and students at the University of Mississippi. The atlas looks at two important problems in Mississippi–the extent of food insecurity and barriers to health,” taken from the atlas.

All livestock brands which are registered within the state must be re-registered by June 30th, 2017, in order to be a valid brand. The Mississippi Agriculture and Livestock Theft Bureau of the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce mailed brand renewal notices in April 2017. Anyone who has not received a Livestock Brand renewal notice should call Jessica Spears, the State Brands Registrar, at 601-359-1159 or 1-800-678-2660. The registration fee for a five year period is $5.00.

Anyone interested in obtaining a NEW livestock brand should go online to www.mdac.ms.gov, select the Brand Registrar tab and print a copy of the brand registration and follow the directions on the form or call the Brand Registrar. Anyone wishing to transfer their brand, should mail a letter to the Brand Registrar requesting that transfer.

Preparing for a Food Safety Audit Video

The Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce is proud to release this informational video for farmers that may be required to obtain a food safety audit such as GAP/GHP or comply with the new Food Safety Modernization Act-Produce Safety Rule (FSMA-PSR). If you are interested in obtaining a copy of the DVD, please call or email at 601-359-1196 or susan@mdac.ms.gov.

The Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce (MDAC) is accepting grant proposals for Certified Farmers Markets across the state who are interested in promoting Mississippi-grown specialty crops. The goal of this grant program is to increase awareness and availability of Mississippi-grown specialty crops sold at Certified Farmers Markets. Specialty crops are defined by law as “fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, and horticulture and nursery crops, including floriculture.” Certified Farmers Markets can apply for up to $1,000 to promote specialty crops sold at their respective farmers market.

Growing Lunch is a school garden grant program administered through the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce with the USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. Growing Lunch seeks to enhance Farm to School efforts across the state. It acts as an educational tool to enhance the knowledge of daycare and school-aged children on agriculture, healthy eating and how food arrives on their plate three times a day. All schools, K-12, and daycares/pre-schools in the State of Mississippi are eligible to apply. Schools that already have a school garden may apply to further their production. It is encouraged that schools applying have local support, for example, a local extension office or Master Gardeners. This program is on a first come, first serve basis. Only one grant can be awarded per school. Schools must fill out the application and have a dedicated coordinator. Pre-schools must be registered/licensed by the Mississippi Department of Health. Schools that have received a Growing Lunch grant from MDAC in the past are not eligible to apply for more funds at this time.

The Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce is currently offering a cost-share program to provide financial assistance to Mississippi fruit and vegetable farmers receiving Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and Good Handling Practices (GHP) Certification. Eligible farmers will receive reimbursement for 75% of the certification costs up to a maximum of $500.